Barry Hawkins played down his chances of claiming his first world title after edging five-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan to book his place back in the quarter-finals late Monday.

Hawkins withstood a stirring fightback by O’Sullivan from 12-9 to level before holding his nerve in a final frame decider and booking his last eight meeting with Marco Fu.

Other defeats for Judd Trump and Mark Allen left the title wide open but Hawkins is clearly intent on avoiding any additional pressure as he heads deeper into the second week.

Referring to Mark Selby and John Higgins, Hawkins said: “The world number one is still in it and so is one of the all-time greats so they have got to be the favourites.

“Everyone on their day is really good and I’ve got another really tough game against Marco so I will just concentrate on that. If Marco gets going he can score as well as anybody.”

O’Sullivan admitted he was still struggling with the pressure associated with being perceived as the standard-bearer of his sport – but also confirmed he intended to return next year.

O’Sullivan said: “I find it difficult being a figurehead of the sport with all the attention on me and such a high expectation on me, including from myself, and sometimes I don’t handle that well.

“Hopefully, with a bit of help and support I can manage the pressure and stress I put on myself and that comes from you guys as well, because you kind of make out I’ve won the tournament before I even turn up.”

Qualifier Kyren Wilson booked a quarter-final meeting with Selby after completing a 13-9 win over Mark Allen. Wilson is hoping to become the first qualifier to win the title since Shaun Murphy in 2005.

Trump was beaten 13-10 by another qualifier, Ding Junhui, who goes through to meet Welshman and former two-time champion Mark Williams, while Higgins, a 13-8 winner over Ricky Walden, starts against fellow Scot Alan McManus.